Roaming Brit
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From a new life in spain, to an old life in britain, 'roaming brit' documents uncertain times!

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On 31st January 2016, my partner and I left Southampton to start a new life as Expats in Gran Alacant, on the Costa Blanca. This blog will document our journey, as we navigate the Spanish system, travelling a path untried and untested. With Brexit looming, political turmoil in Europe and an unpredictable future, harsh decisions have to be made. Illness, family bonds and a Change of heart all make for challenging times in a life of a 'Roaming Brit!'

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Shopping the GA Way!

20/2/2018

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Back to basics today and a few words about shopping. I have just got back from doing my weekly shop; which can often be challenging, living in Spain. Today I have been to five different shops, in order to get everything I need for the next week. I always go to Lidl for the basics, preferring to buy groceries everyday on my morning walk around Gran Alacant.

Today I had to take a trip up to the top of the hill, not far from where I used to live. I had to go to the pharmacy to try and get hold of those packets of Asprin I needed a week ago, in order to thin the blood and prevent a heart attack. To be honest, it's my own paranoia that wants me to buy them. I understand I have to eventually make an appointment at the Doctors, but the process is so laborious, having to arrange an interpreter, that I just don't have the time to mess around. Buying these at 1'30€ a packet, rather than the 5€ Darrell paid, should give me peace of mind at least. Thanks to Jackie, who lives locally in Gran Alacant, I was able to get the right medication and not pay over the odds for a change!

Next it was a stopover at the English Supermarket Quicksave to get a few herbs and spices for dinner this evening. To my surprise, I found the big 500 gram jars of Marmite, not something I have seen in Spain before and only 5'95€; an absolute bargain price. A big thank you to Quicksave for getting them in. For a Marmite addict like me, it's just like winning the lottery.

Lastly it was a quick stop at Unide, to pick up a local paper, some freeze dried corn, that I love and tomato juice for a Bloody Mary or two. It was interesting to see the headline 'Shopping Days Limited,' in the Costa Blanca News. The local Valencian Regional Government, recently voted to limit the number of Sundays and Red Days shops can open. Outlets in larger tourist zones had been allowed to open throughout the year; the new rules will mean having more limited opening times, closing on many of these lucrative shopping days.

This is of course in stark contrast to the British way of doing things, who tend to allow unrestricted shopping hours on public holidays and Sundays. I am not sure which system works best. On one hand workers are given far more time off in Spain, especially when one considers the number of bank holidays here, are more than double that of the UK and it also keeps Sunday as a day of rest, which is a good thing for families. Having said this, the Spanish economy is in a bit of a mess and could do with the economic boost seven day a week opening allows. A curtailment could quite possibly be a step backwards; make up your own mind on that one.

Bags unpacked, it's time for me to cook dinner, Peri Peri Chicken!
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    51-year-old Author and professional blogger. Expat formerly living in Gran Alacant on the Costa Blanca! Currently, residing in my adopted home of Perth, Western Australia.

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    A place to call home
    Finally, a place we can call home.  A community of like minded individuals, who used to call Britain home.  Now Spain is our choice, an altogether gentler, happier, sunnier and safer experience!
            Luke Feb 16
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  • Blog
  • The Story Of Us
  • Other Blogs
    • Forever Enduring Cycles Blog 2015 >
      • Forever Enduring Cycles
      • Bipolarcoaster
      • Books For Sale
  • Gallery
  • Spain
    • First Month
    • Three Months
    • Six Months
    • One Year
    • 2 Year Anniversary
    • Spanish Views
    • Gran Alacant >
      • GA Advertiser
      • Gran Alacant News
      • LoungeD
      • No Wives Club
  • About
    • New Life
    • Wedding
    • 21 Years
    • Timeline
    • My Story
    • Australia 2016/17
  • Guest Bloggers
    • Penelope Wren
    • Debra Rufini
    • Claire Coe
    • Richard Guy
    • Optimistic Mummy
    • Julie Rawlinson
    • Letters Of Hope
  • Links
  • Contact
  • My Writing
    • Short Stories From My Youth
    • Verruca Almond
    • The Streets